Keeping an eye on the tank
Checking in on the race for the top pick in the 2018 NBA Draft
The college basketball season got off to a rocking start last night, and to ring in the new season, the basketball internet was blessed with a new round of NBA mock drafts. The prospect of a franchise-altering influx of talent is likely going to be the most exciting part of this Chicago Bulls season, and so it’s only fit that we take stock of where Chicago stands in the tanking race to end all tanking races. The losses sustained this season could very well be the most influential losses the Bulls lose for a long time, since lottery reform will take effect in the 2018 offseason. Not that they’ll need extra encouragement, but it’s very important that they stink.
Just judging by the loss column, it would seem like the Bulls are behind a few different teams in their quest for the bottom of the barrel, but it’s important to remember they’ve played fewer games than just about any team so far. At this admittedly early juncture, there are three main threats to Chicago: the Atlanta Hawks, the Sacramento Kings and the Dallas Mavericks.
Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks currently sit at 2–12, their only two wins coming against the Mavericks and the Cavaliers. It was clear they’d be in this mix once Paul Millsap fled for higher altitudes, and so far they’ve delivered. That said, I would pick the Hawks as most likely in this bunch to tiptoe out of the dregs of the standings and into just plain “bad” status. Think Orlando Magic last year. Dennis Schroder, Dewayne Dedmon and Kent Bazemore are real NBA players despite probably being overpaid, and Ersan Ilyasova has missed time for them as well. John Collins is as fun as rookies get. That dude won’t stop until he’s at least attempted a dunk on every player in the league.
Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks are more entertaining than they’ve been in years thanks exclusively to Dennis Smith Jr., but entertainment doesn’t translate to wins. They’ve been even worse than many expected them to be, going 2–12 in their first 14 outings. Dirk Nowitzki, who hasn’t been effective on defense once in his career, looks pretty rough even on offense, and the roster as a whole is one of the most awkward fits in the league. That’s all without mentioning the Nerlens Noel shaped elephant in the room. Something is going on in that locker room, but Rick Carlisle is still a wizard, and it’s not like we all predicted Yogi Ferrell to be a thing last season. I’m sure the Mavs still have a few tricks up their sleeve.
Sacramento Kings
Finally, we have the team I’m most worried about. The Kings brought in George Hill, Zach Randolph and Vince Carter to help guide their caravan of kids, but it’s actually turned into the greatest #stealthtank move they could have hoped for. Hill has struggled to stay healthy, the norm for him over the last couple of seasons. Randolph has managed to reach new levels of inefficiency, and yet Dave Joerger continues to feed him with postups galore. And Vince Carter, who looked 28 in Memphis just last season, is shooting 22.6 percent from the field. The Kings are going to be really, really bad, and they are the clear-cut biggest threat to Chicago’s chances at the top pick.
Keep on chucking, Justin Holiday. You’re our only hope.
